Art Davidson: Lester set the tone from the start

Monday

Oct 29, 2007 at 12:01 AMOct 29, 2007 at 7:52 PM

Last night, Job Lester filled the hearts of Red Sox rooters around the globe with nothing but joy. In his first postseason start, Lester hurled 5 2/3 shutout innings. The 23-year-old left-hander earned a place in Boston sports history by being the winning pitcher of the game that brought Boston its second World Series title in four years.

Art Davidson

A year ago, Jon Lester was in the hearts of Boston fans for reasons that had nothing to do with baseball. The young pitcher was in the collective prayers of Red Sox Nation while he waged a battle with cancer.

Since being diagnosed with the disease last year, Lester has made a miraculous comeback that was one of the feel-good stories of the 2007 baseball season.

Last night, Lester filled the hearts of Red Sox rooters around the globe with nothing but joy. In his first postseason start, Lester hurled 5 2/3 shutout innings. The 23-year-old left-hander earned a place in Boston sports history by being the winning pitcher of the game that brought Boston its second World Series title in four years.

"Lester set the tone for us," said Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. "He showed a remarkable amount of poise for someone making his first playoff start, and he did it in the World Series. But considering what he's been through, I guess it's not surprising."

By defeating Colorado 4-3 in thrilling fashion last night at Coors Field, the Red Sox completed a four-game sweep of the Rockies, allowing Boston to become the first team this century to win a pair of World Series titles.

Curse? That's something for other teams.

A remarkable aspect of what the Red Sox accomplished is that they once again won the World Series by sweeping their opponent, something they did to St. Louis in 2004. Red Sox manager Terry Francona is a perfect 8-0 in World Series competition.

Maybe some of his critics won't agree, but considering the magnitude and historic significance of what Boston has accomplished in the last four years, Francona deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence with names like Auerbach and Bellichick.

Lester only started last night's game because it was determined after the American League Championship Series that Tim Wakefield's injury would prevent him from pitching in the World Series. Lester's postseason resume consisted of just two relief appearances against Cleveland in the ALCS.

Although Francona indicated that Lester would start the fourth game unless something totally unexpected occurred, the Red Sox didn't officially name him to be starter until after Game 2 had been completed in Boston.

"It was a lot of hard work," said Lester. "I'm having a hard time believing how it all ended. I went from pitching in the minor leagues to pitching the final game of the World Series.

"I got a lot of inspiration from Mike (Lowell). He had (cancer) and made a successful comeback. He proved to me that it could be done."

The only inning in which Lester retired the Rockies in order was the opening frame, but he displayed the same intestinal fortitude when there were runners on base that he did when he was dealing with something even more important than a World Series game.

Before departing, Lester allowed three hits, walked three and struck out four, while throwing 92 pitches.

In the second inning with Boston ahead 1-0, Todd Helton hit a lead-off double. He eventually reached third base with two outs, but Lester threw a low strike to Yovit Torrealba that produced an inning-ending ground ball.

Lester's best moment occurred an inning later while still attempting to protect a one-run lead. Kaz Matsui hit an arcing one-out double into left field that went over Manny Ramirez's glove. Maybe a more accomplished fielder would have caught the ball, but it would have been an excellent catch.

Lester responded to the challenge by striking out the sparkplug of the Rockies, Troy Tulowitzki.

The next batter was the individual most likely to win the National League's Most Valuable Player award, Matt Holliday. Lester struck out Holliday with a nasty fastball that even the NL's best player couldn't catch up with.

Holliday was a meek 0-for-3 against Lester, which included a pair of ground-ball outs.

"Last winter I felt guilty even bringing up baseball when I called Jon to see how he was doing," said Francona. "And he ends the season by winning the game that gave us the World Series championship. Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable.

"And you know what, he's going to be even better next year."

Francona opted to pull Lester after he gave up a two-out walk in the sixth inning. Manny Delcarmen kept Lester's run total a zero by finishing off Colorado in the inning with a strikeout.